Norris fastest by 0.009s ahead of Russell at Barcelona-Catalunya GP

McLaren’s Lando Norris has taken the fastest lap, pipping Mercedes’ George Russell by the narrowest of margins, beating the championship contender by 0.009s.

Feature image credit: Pirelli

The reigning world champions, McLaren and Norris, have topped the timing boards in the second hour of practice at the Spanish track, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The champion had missed out on FP1 and was playing catch-up for the rest of the field, who took part in the opening hour. He was one of seven drivers who were forced to sit out the opening hour of practice, allowing most of the teams to start fulfilling their FP1 mandate.

Russell topped the opening hour of practice, ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. But neither driver could dethrone the defending world champion’s fastest lap as Norris put in a lap time of 1 minute and 15.426 seconds.

The #63 Mercedes, belonging to Russell, was the closest driver to rival Norris’ best time, but the Briton fell short by 0.009 seconds. Piastri was also incredibly close to his teammate, in third, under a tenth behind (+0.057s).

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix: the full F1 schedule and times

Problems which had plagued drivers in FP1 continued on in FP2, with the likes of Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas. The Finnish driver spent half the session inside his respective garage as the team worked on a fix with his ECU. Cadillac’s mechanics were able to resolve the issue, allowing Bottas to get on track in the second half of the session.

Further up the pit lane, Alexander Albon was able to get out on the circuit as Williams resolved their electronic problems earlier in the day. During FP1, Luke Browning, who was set to replace Albon, was not able to get out onto the Spanish track due to technical issues.

So, where did everyone finish FP2?

FP2 Classification:

1. Lando Norris, McLaren – 1m 15.426s
2. George Russell, Mercedes +0.009s
3. Oscar Piastri, McLaren +0.057s
4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +0.373s
5. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes +0.589s
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing +0.895s
7. Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls +0.985s
8. Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi +1.185s
9. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari +1.205s
10. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing +1.248s
11. Nico Hulkenberg, Audi +1.508s
12. Oliver Bearman, Haas +1.519s
13. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls +1.541s
14. Carlos Sainz, Williams +1.594s
15. Franco Colapinto, Alpine +1.625s
16. Pierre Gasly, Alpine +1.834s
17. Esteban Ocon, Haas +2.112s
18. Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac +2.799s
19. Alexander Albon, Williams +3.364s
20. Sergio Perez, Cadillac +3.835s
21. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +3.86s
22. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +4.033s

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Russell tops first practice ahead of Piastri at Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
• Pirelli remain F1 tyre supplier until 2028
• Drama In The Principality: The Monaco Grand Prix Did Not Disappoint
• Fernando Alonso suggests Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix could be his last
• Pirelli confirm tyre compounds for Austrian and British Grand Prix
• McLaren, Audi & Williams make FP1 changes for Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
• Writer’s Verdict: 2026 Monaco Grand Prix

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.